The National Student Survey 2026

What is the NSS?

The NSS is the largest UK wide annual survey aimed at final year undergraduates in the UK. The survey provides you with an opportunity to give your honest opinions on what you liked about your course at York St John as well as things that you feel could have been improved. 

The survey is administered by Ipsos, an independent market research agency on behalf of the OfS and the UK Higher Education funding and regulatory bodies – the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland), the Scottish Funding Council and the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research – so your responses remain anonymous to your university or college at all times.  

You will be asked questions relating to various aspects of your course such as teaching, assessment and feedback, and learning resources. You will also be given the opportunity to provide comments on your overall student experience at your university/college. You may also be asked some additional questions specific to your course and your university/college. 

Why should I take part?

• The NSS provides you with the opportunity to provide honest feedback on your student experience. 

• Your opinions will be used to improve the student experience at York St John University. 

• The feedback you submit is taken very seriously and informs the quality assurance system with regards to teaching quality. 

• Results are published and used by prospective students, their families and advisors to make decisions on what and where to study through course comparison websites like Discover Uni. 

More information about the NSS is available on the Office for Students website. 

Every YSJ student who completes the survey is eligible for the prize draw to win 

• 1st prize - £100 voucher to spend in York shops or a £100 charitable donation (charity chosen by prize winner).  

• 2nd prize - £50 voucher to spend in York shops or a £50 charitable donation (charity chosen by prize winner). 

• 3rd prize - £25 voucher to spend in York shops or a £25 charitable donation (charity chosen by prize winner). 

Winners will be notified by email by the end of May 2026. 

What happens with the results?

The NSS results are published to help prospective students, their families and advisors make informed decisions on where and what to study. This is available on Discover Uni. 

Universities, colleges and supporting Student Unions also use the data to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and bring about change to improve the experience for future generations of students. 

Inappropriate influence

A student guide on inappropriate influence sets out what the NSS is and how it is promoted by providers. The guide details what may constitute inappropriate influence and the types of promotion universities and colleges are, or are not, allowed to undertake. It provides details on the help and support available to you – if you feel you are being or have been influenced in how to respond to the survey, along with the process in place to investigate allegations of inappropriate influence and what happens in case of a breach of guidance. 

What is inappropriate influence?

Survey Privacy Notice

Our privacy notice sets out how we collect, use, store and share your data during student surveys.

Survey Privacy Notice